JULY 2 MEETING OF CHARGE MNF-I CG WITH IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002955

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2015
TAGS: PREL PINS IZ
SUBJECT: JULY 2 MEETING OF CHARGE MNF-I CG WITH IRAQI
INTERIOR MINISTER


Classified By: Charge D' Affaires David M. Satterfield for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)


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SUMMARY
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1. (C) At a July 2 meeting with Minister of Interior Baqr
Jaber, the Charge raised reports of human rights abuses by
the Wolf Brigade. Jaber agreed on the need to respect human
rights, voiced interest in visiting the U.S., and expressed
concern about media reports that the U.S. was negotiating
with the insurgents. The MNF-I CG emphasized that media
reports notwithstanding, the U.S. is not negotiating with the
insurgents. Jaber suggested that Secretary Rice give a
speech clarifying the U.S. role within a sovereign Iraq.
END SUMMARY.

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PRINCIPAL ATTENDEES
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2. (C) The principal attendees at the July 2 meeting were

-- Minister of Interior Baqr Jaber,

-- Charge d'Affaires David Satterfield,

-- Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) Commanding General
George Casey, and

-- IRMO-MOI Senior Advisor James Yellin.

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TRIP TO UNITED STATES
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3. (C) Jaber stated he would like to visit Washington in
September to meet with Secretary Rice and Attorney General
Gonzalez. The Charge encouraged the Minister to limit his
trip to the United States to a few days so that he spend as
little time out of Iraq as possible. The Charge further
recommended the minister travel after the Labor Day holiday.

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HUMAN RIGHTS
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4. (C) The Charge noted reports that Wolf Brigade commandos
were acting on behalf of the Badr Corps, and that the
commandos had mistreated detainees and used excessive force
during arrests. The Charge emphasized the need for the
security forces to respect human rights and conduct
themselves in way that is beyond reproach.


5. (C) Jaber denied the Wolf Brigade was acting on behalf of
the Badr Corps. He agreed on the need to respect human
rights. He added that he welcomed Embassy and Coalition
information that would enable the MOI Inspector General to
conduct investigations and file charges. He also said the
Wolf Brigade is the most effective of the special police
forces.

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MEDIA REPORTS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH INSURGENTS
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6. (C) The MNF-I CG emphasized that media reports
notwithstanding, the U.S. is not negotiating with the
insurgents.


7. (C) Jaber said media reports that Secretary Rumsfeld had
said the U.S. was negotiating with the insurgents had
negatively affected the morale of the Iraqi Security Forces
(ISF) and the general public. Jaber suggested that Secretary
Rice give a speech clarifying the U.S. role within a
sovereign Iraq.


8. (C) The MNF-I CG pointed out that Secretary Rumsfeld had
not said the U.S. is negotiating with the insurgents.

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OPERATION AL BARQ
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9. (C) Jaber also made the following remarks.

-- There is a need to build upon the success of Operation al
Barq (a joint counterinsurgency operation in Baghdad
conducted by the Iraqi ministries of Defense and Interior in
conjunction with MNF-I's execution of Operation Squeeze
Play).
-- A follow-on joint operation should focus on routes feeding
into Baghdad, especially west of Abu Ghraib and east of
Mada'in.


11. (C) Jaber said the success of al-Barq justified a
reduction of the curfew from 10:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m. to 12:00
a.m.-4:00 a.m. The MNF-I CG expressed his support for a
reduction of curfew hours.

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OTHER OPERATIONAL MATTERS
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12. (C) Jaber said the following about other operational
matters.

-- Recent attacks by the insurgents reflect a strategic
decision by them to place greater emphasis on targeting
infrastructure as a way of weakening the government.

-- It would be useful to use tribal forces to help control
the borders. He recently appointed a new Director General of
Department of Border Enforcement, Major General Muhsan.

-- Potential areas for future joint operations include Mosul
and Taji. (Jaber accepted an invitation by MNF-I CG to
travel to Mosul regarding such operations.)

-- Police training by France would be welcome, provided it be
conducted in Iraq. (Jaber noted that he resented past French
support of the Saddam Hussein regime.)


13. (C) The MNF-I CG emphasized the need for coordination
between the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense. He
welcomed the recent formation of a joint planning group to
prepare for future operations, such as security for
elections. Jaber agreed on the need for coordination and on
the utility of the joint planning group.

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RELATIONS WITH ARAB NEIGHBORS
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14. Jaber said the Syrians claim to be helping on border
control, but have not demonstrated that they are doing so.
The Charge encouraged Minister Jaber and his colleagues to
keep pressure on Syria to work with the Iraqi government.


15. (C) The Charge also said the Embassy and MNF-I can help
to establish a dialogue with the Saudi Interior Minister.
Jaber replied that he would welcome such help.


16. (U) REO HILLAH, REO BASRAH, REO MOSUL, REO KIRKUK
minimize considered.
Satterfield